Document scanner with instant retrieval process

ABSTRACT

An improved document scanner for imaging documents and decoding coded indicia such as bar codes and magnetic strips is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner incorporates a set of emergency exit instructions so that a user can always retrieve sensitive documents at a moment&#39;s notice. These instructions include receiving an emergency exit command from a jamming sensor or from the user, and then attempting mechanical translation toward a first exit and further subsequent translation toward a second exit. If the document is not successfully retrieved, the scanner prepares for manual document extraction as detailed herein.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/478,048 filed May 22, 2012, entitled “Multi-PassDocument Scanner and Multi-Pass scanning Method, that is further acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,100filed May 28, 2008, entitled “Imaging Device And Method for ConcurrentImaging of Opposite Sides of An Identification Card or Document,” whichin turn claims priority from U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 60/994,612filed on Sep. 19, 2007, and the present application claims the benefitof the priority date thereof; accordingly the entire contents of thesetwo non-provisional patent applications and one provisional patentapplication are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Thepresent application also expressly incorporates U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/405,064 entitled “ID Scanner with Machine-Readable CodedIndicia Reader and Card Imaging Digital Camera” by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a document scanner with the capabilityof electronically imaging and scanning multiple forms of coded data froman ID card. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved IDscanning device and method particularly useful for extracting an ID cardthat has jammed within the device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Subsequent to recent heightened security, government and privatesecurity measures have continued to increase worldwide. Consequently,there is a continued need for business and government security personnelto inspect the identification cards of employees and citizens to verifyidentity and to ascertain their authenticity and scope. Further, bars,nightclubs and liquor stores that serve alcohol risk hefty fines andloss of their liquor licenses should they serve alcohol or tobacco tounderage customers. Because the risks are so high, both in terms ofgovernment security and government punishment, inspecting and validatingcustomer identification cards has risen to critical importance.

However, with constant improvements in home computers and highdefinition color printers, forging and manufacturing falseidentification (ID) cards, passports, employment identification cards,and drivers' licenses and the like has become easier. A decade ago, anapparently authentic driver's license forgery could be crafted bycutting and pasting photographs onto a printed card before laminatingthe combination. Modern ID cards have many more authentication andsecurity measures in place, but visually convincing forgeries can stillbe crafted with modern computers and printers and appropriate graphicsoftware. Further however, while the forgery may appear genuine to thehuman eye, these impostors can still be quickly and easily identifiedwith a proper ID scanner, analyzing the card under infrared (IR) orultraviolet (UV) light.

As the technology to produce forgeries and the penalties for failing toidentify fraudulent IDs both increase, there is an increasing demand onbusiness owners, bar and liquor store owners, banks, and governmentemployees such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), toquickly read, record, and authenticate a presented piece ofidentification. In the past decade, drivers' licenses have evolved toinclude many new types of security and authenticity factors which areimprinted directly onto the identification card. Examples includefluorescent inks, inks visible under only certain light spectra, hiddenindicia in identification photos, printed bar codes, and magnetic stripswhich are encoded. Frequently a plurality of these security andauthenticity measures are imprinted on either side of a driver's licenseor ID and can serve to validate that the ID is current and canauthenticate the ID as validly issued rather than forged.

Nonetheless presently, most small businesses such as bars or restaurantsdo not have the personnel trained to quickly and accurately identifyforgeries through comparison of imprinted authenticity and validitymarkers. Further, because the equipment to read and discern the varioussecurity features can often be both bulky and expensive, business andeven government venues do not regularly employ them. Instead, businessesand government employees rely on the eye of a bouncer or gatekeeper atthe restaurant or bar, and government relies on personnel such as acounter clerk or TSA agent, both of whom with little training and lessequipment must try and spot forged identifications without the aid ofvariable light wavelengths and magnetic and optical strip readers andcomparison of duplicate information on each.

One major impediment in imaging and detecting the authenticity andcurrent validity of drivers' licenses and identification cards usingconventional scanning machinery is the fact that they are stiff bynature due to their need for longevity. Most two sided document readersand imagers depend on running the document being scanned through aserpentine path in the device on a track through curves and ejecting itat the end of the serpentine path. While traversing this path, the cardis optically viewed in a number of positions to try and image spectrumviewable security features for comparison. Being short and stiff, suchcards are not well adapted to follow the conventional serpentine pathrequired for imaging two sides. Further, such card readers tend to bevery bulky due to the elaborate pathways the card must follow and thedifferent multiple imaging stations along the path. Adding to theproblem with such conventional imaging devices is that using multipledigital imaging chips (for example CCD's and CMOS-style) in one devicecan greatly increase the expense. Consequently employing two digitalimaging chips to image both sides of a document doubles the cost.Additionally two independent image capturing components require adoubling of calibration, lighting, and the number of things that canmalfunction in the device.

Accordingly, there is an unmet need for an imaging device that will scanboth sides of either a flexible or relatively stiff identification cardsuch as a driver's license or credit card style ID, which has a reducedsize and footprint in use at such venues as an airport, bar, or companyor government building point of entry. Such a device should provide forimaging of both sides of the card or document concurrently by a singleelectronic imaging device to thereby reduce costs and initial andongoing calibration requirements. Such a device, due to the nature ofpeople standing in lines and crowds where the identification isgenerally checked, and credit cards employed, should serve to increasespeed through a checkpoint rather than slowing it as is the result withconventional devices. Further, such a device should eliminate theserpentine path for the document being checked and should provide theshortest and fastest path in and out of the device as is possible whileachieving concurrent images of both sides of the document under aplurality of illumination spectrums required to image authenticitymarkings Still further, such a device should be especially well adaptedto image both sides of a driver's license or ID card concurrently in ahighly registered imaging between the two sides and to produce imagesthat are easily readable and comparable on a video display for the user.

Because some user systems require information extracted from themachine-readable indicia as well as an image of the card, there is aneed for a system capable of reading machine-readable indicia from an IDcard as well as photographing the surface of the ID card in a single,compact package. The most convenient embodiment for checking modern IDcards would incorporate a magnetic strip reader alongside a digitalcamera. With this combination of coded indicia readers, a vendor orsecurity personnel would be able to simply extract data from many IDcards, including any state driver's license issued in recent years.

Additionally, there is a benefit in scanning an ID card or documentduring multiple passes along an internal defined path. Differentscanning devices could require different pass speeds and engagingcertain scanners simultaneously could interfere with the qualityprovided by other scanners. For example, ID cards require a minimum passvelocity to energize a magnetic coil and read a magnetic strip, and thisminimum magnetic strip velocity only narrowly overlaps with the maximumdigital image capture velocity. Additionally, it would be impossible tosimultaneously capture images of an ID card under multiple differentlighting conditions, such as infrared, ultraviolet, and RGB (visible),as the sensor would pick up all of the reflected light rather than thespecific desired frequency. It is possible to alternate two 2frequencies of illumination during a single pass, but if more than twofrequency captures are desired, an additional pass by the sensors couldlower the illumination intensity or precise timing requirements. Toallow optimal performance of all included scanners, more than one passby the scanner assembly can be quite beneficial.

Also in light of the above, it is an additional object of the presentinvention to provide a device combining three popular machine-readabledata options (e.g. magnetic strip, 2-D barcode., and RFID tags) andrelated variations, and further thereby providing an all-in-oneperipheral for reading information from virtually any type of ID card,increasing both security and convenience in a smaller, cheaper package.

It is still further and object of the present invention to provide ascanning device and method with a particular configuration suited forretrieving a jammed document of identification (ID) card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed device and method herein employs unique optics whichenables it to employ a very short and unique flow path for documentssuch as drivers' licenses and identification cards and otheridentification documents in and out of the device. During this shortflowpath through the device, a plurality of light spectrums aresequentially reflected off of both sides of the inserted ID to provide ameans to easily image and ascertain the existence of any hidden indiciaand security features which must be checked to ascertain documentauthenticity and current validity. A mechanism employing an electricmotor and wheels provides for automatic movement into and out of thedevice during a scan. Employing a short and inline flowpath for the IDor document inserted and unique lighting, optical reflections andimagers allow for insertion and removal of the ID or document from asingle slot in the reader device. Employing software adapted toascertaining ID or document validity and authenticity by one or acombination of magnetic stripe scanning, optical character recognition,and sequential light spectrum illumination to determine presence andproper location of hidden markers can provide a valuable automation tothe process of checking such documents. The sequential illumination caninclude: the visible spectrum (white light), specific visiblefrequencies (red, green, blue, etc. . . . ), ultraviolet light toilluminate holograms, or infrared light to determine paper or inkchemical composition. Arranging the unique optical assembly, magneticstrip reader, and light spectrum illumination along a short flowpathallows for a device with a very small footprint and can therefore bedeployed at inspection stations or entries where space is limited.

As shown in the drawings and described herein, the disclosed device is aself-contained peripheral unit designed to capture and process theimages of both sides of a driver's license, credit card, employment IDcard, or similar card style identification card. The device also has theability to image and read 2D or 1D bar codes frequently encoded on suchID cards with verification information and can also read encodedmagnetic strip data for age verification and/or authentication of the IDand holder.

In operation, images of both sides of the inserted document or card areconcurrently captured to memory and then internally processed. Thisallows the information to become immediately available for furtherverification of the ID itself and matching it to the person presentingit.

The device additionally employs a unique scanning and imaging technologyenabling it to capture images of both sides of the ID, card, or documentinserted by employing a number of different light sources sequentially.This enables the system not only to read visible informational indiciasuch as barcode and texts and photos, but also allows the device todiscern hidden authentication indicia being employed on such documents.

The process of validating the ID is accomplished by comparing one ormore specific recognized features of the ID card or document insertedwhich only appear visible for capture under a specific light source. Thelight sources present in the device project light in sequentialfrequencies or spectrums for example including UV (365 nm), Blue (470nm), Green (525 nm), Red (625 nm), IR (850 nm), and white. Thefrequencies listed are demonstrative only and the device and inventionis not restricted to only those frequencies or those bands of light.Employing these individual light spectrums in a novel sequentiallighting arrangement also allows concurrent illumination shouldcombinations of the spectrum be required or white light to capture moreaccurate visible colors. Thus colored renditions can be assembledelectronically from the light reflected at the various wavelengths. Thisaccuracy of color reproduction further enhances the processes validatingand authenticating ID's and documents in that it allows for watermarkand Original-Color-Print detection. Additionally, by illuminating withinfrared light as well as under a number of other frequencies, chemicalcomposition can be accurately determined to further verify an ID ordocument source. Using onboard or networked information for comparison,the current validity of the identification in the case of expiringdocuments and the authenticity in the case of valid issuance, as well asmatching it to the presenter, can be handled at a very fine level.

In addition to employing LEDs to project individual light sources forconcurrent or sequential imaging, a unique optical path design enablesthe device to capture the entire portion of both sides of the ID ordocument such as a state driver's license, employing only a singleoptical sensor (CCD) to digitize the captured images. Employing theunique reflective path allowing for this single CCD not only reduces thesystem cost but also allows for easy calibration for image comparison ofboth sides of a document since all images are captured from the sameposition rather than multiple image sensors at multiple points as inconventional devices. Capturing both sides with an image reflection alsoreduces the required optical focal length, leading to greatly reduceddevice dimensions.

In addition to onboard microprocessor, memory, and optical components,the device has means for communication with a computer network usingeither wireless or wired ports. Power can be supplied by onboardbatteries or by an AC adapter.

Practitioners of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theconception upon which the imaging device and method are based mayreadily be utilized as a basis for designing of other one-sided ortwo-sided imaging systems for carrying out the several purposes of thepresent invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims beregarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they donot depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a driver'slicense or similar identification document reader which can ascertainthe authenticity of the document inserted using a single imager andshort linear flowpath for the document into and out of the device.

It is further an object of the invention to provide such a device forimaging two sides of a driver's license or identification card ordocument, which employs a single imaging point and one imager to captureall images of both sides in order to reduce cost and calibrationrequirements.

It is yet further an object of this invention to employ a plurality ofspecific wavelengths of light inside a housing for lighting the surfaceto be imaged to allow the imager to process images from an inserteddocument thereby, using multiple images under one or a plurality oflight wavelengths to ascertain hidden authentication features.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction andmethod as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout.

More specifically the invention in a first aspect is a document scannerfor extracting identifying information comprising: a defined path inwhich a document can be mechanically translated, said defined pathhaving a first opening in an external housing and a second opening insaid external housing opposite said first opening; a sensor array areaenclosing a portion of said defined path; a motor or actuator capable ofmechanically translating a document both in a first direction along saiddefined path and in a second direction opposite to said first directionalong said defined path; an access door in the external housing thatopens to allow access to a document inside of said external housing; anda processor in communication with a memory, the processor capable ofexecuting an automated document extraction process. The automateddocument extraction process herein comprises receiving an emergency exitcommand; instructing said motor or actuator to mechanically translatesaid document along said defined path toward said first opening;instructing said motor or actuator to mechanically translate saiddocument in a reverse direction along said defined path toward saidsecond opening; and preparing said document scanner for manual documentextraction by a user.

The document scanner herein is additionally characterized as comprisinga digital camera having a lens and a sensor array for acquiring at leastone image of a side surface of the document; and a magnetic stripreader. Regarding the document extraction process, included is the steppreparing the document scanner for manual document extraction includingilluminating a notification light that manual document extraction isrequired.

The invention in this aspect is additionally characterized wherein thesensor array includes at least one retractable element and the preparingsaid document scanner for manual document extraction includes the stepof retracting the at least one retractable element. Also further, theaccess door herein includes a manual release access trigger. Thedocument scanner herein is further characterized in the process ofpreparing the document scanner for manual extraction by a user includesreducing power supplied to internal components and automatically openingthe access door.

The document scanner herein is additionally characterized wherein theportion of the defined path enclosed by the sensor array area is nolonger than the length of the document to be scanned. The retrievalprocess herein is also further characterized wherein the instructing themotor or actuator to mechanically translate the document along saiddefined path toward said first opening comprises mechanicallytranslating at an intermittent rate. The retrieval process herein ismore specifically explained wherein the instructing the motor oractuator to mechanically translate the document along the defined pathtoward the first opening comprises mechanically translating at a reducedspeed. The invention herein also includes a button that sends saidemergency exit command.

The document scanner in this aspect further comprises a sensor capableof automatically sending said emergency exit command if the document isjammed. Still further, the document scanner herein comprises a pair ofmirrors, one each of the pair at an angled position adjacent to each ofa respective one of the two opposing side surfaces of the document inthe defined path; and a secondary mirror portioned transverse to thedocument and the defined path, the secondary mirror having an angleadapted to intersect reflections from both of the pair of mirrors andcommunicate them to the lens of the digital camera.

In a second aspect the invention may be characterized as an automatedmethod for extracting a document from a document scanner comprising:receiving an emergency exit command; attempting to mechanicallytranslate a document in a first direction along a defined path inside ofan external housing toward a first access point; attempting tomechanically translate a document in a second direction opposite thefirst direction along the defined path inside of an external housingtoward a second access point; preparing the document scanner for manualdocument extraction by a user; and illuminating a light that informs theuser the document scanner was not capable of manually extracting thedocument.

The method in this aspect herein is additionally characterized ascomprising the step of receiving a notification that a documentsomewhere along the defined path requires extraction from the documentscanner. Also the method is more specifically characterized wherein theattempting to mechanically translate a document includes attempting tomechanically translate a document at an intermittent rate and/oroptionally mechanically translating the document at a reduced speed. Themethod additionally includes the step of retracting a retractableelement configured to the document.

In still another aspect, the invention is characterized as a documentscanner for extracting identifying information comprising: a definedpath in which a document can be mechanically translated, the definedpath having a first opening in an external housing and a second openingin the external housing opposite the first opening; a sensor array areaenclosing a portion of the defined path, the portion of the defined pathenclosed by the sensor array area is no longer than the horizontallength of the document to be scanned; a motor or actuator capable ofmechanically translating a document both in a first direction along thedefined path and in a second direction opposite to the first directionalong the defined path; an access door in the external housing thatopens to allow access to a document inside of the external housing, theaccess door including a manual release access trigger; a digital cameracomprising a lens and a sensor array for acquiring at least one image ofa side surface of the document; a magnetic strip reader; and a processorin communication with a memory.

The invention is this aspect is further characterized in that theprocessor is capable of executing an automated document extractionprocess, the automated document extraction process comprising the stepsof: receiving an emergency exit command; instructing the motor oractuator to mechanically translate the document along the defined pathtoward the first opening; instructing the motor or actuator tomechanically translate the document in a reverse direction along thedefined path toward the second opening; and preparing the documentscanner for manual document extraction by a user. Also in this aspectthe invention includes a pair of mirrors, one each of the pair at anangled position adjacent to each of a respective one of the two opposingside surfaces of the document in the defined path; and a secondarymirror portioned transverse to the document and the defined path, thesecondary mirror having an angle adapted to intersect reflections fromboth of the pair of mirrors and communicate them to the lens of thedigital camera.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake ofgrammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expresslyunderstood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by theconstruction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accordedthe full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition providedby the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in thecase where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are tobe accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The inventioncan be better visualized by turning now to the following drawingswherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself,both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood fromthe accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdescription, in which similar reference characters refer to similarparts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective depiction of the internal workings of theoptical system of the device employing mirrors to communicate both sidesof a moving document to a single imaging device for capture;

FIG. 2 shows the additional function of a magnetic strip reader whichmay be concurrently employed to read magnetic strip information andascertain correct insertion;

FIG. 3 is an expanded or unfolded field of view of the device withoutshowing the mirrors employing dotted lines to show locations of thethree mirrors which project concurrent images of both sides to thecapturing device;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the unique optical arrangement of mirrors toreflect both sides of the ID card to a final mirror under the flowpathfor capture by the imaging device mounted traverse to the flowpath;

FIG. 5 shows a cutaway view of the housing which would surround thedevice and with the circuit board removed, and which darkens theflowpath and enables the employment of multiple individual LED or lightsource projections to capture different images of both sides of thecard;

FIG. 6 is a rendition of the planar projections of the card surfaces insections to a final horizontally disposed mirror reflecting sectionsthrough a refracting lens to the imager;

FIG. 7 depicts the magnetic strip reader;

FIG. 8 shows the belt pulling the ID card translating it into and out ofthe linear flowpath above the imager;

FIG. 9 depicts the final horizontal imaging mirror positioned inlinewith a lens focusing the segmental image of each side of the card to theimager;

FIG. 10 depicts another means to concurrently communicate segments ofboth sides of the card to the imager during periods of illumination fromthat of FIGS. 4 and 6;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C depict exemplary illustrative views of the IDScanner with the access panel in its closed state;

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary illustrative view of the ID Scanner withthe access panel in its partially open state.

FIG. 13 depicts the interior of the ID Scanner, revealing internalcomponents;

FIG. 14 depicts a flow chart of document movement during a multiple-passscan utilizing the device;

FIG. 15 depicts a flow chart of actual device steps performed duringeach pass of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 depicts an emergency retrieval process for immediatelyretrieving a document from the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1-16, exemplary preferredembodiments of the present invention in current preferred modes areshown and described. The device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and other figuresis adapted to be easily employed for imaging two-sided documents such IDtype documents such as a driver's license card 12. Using a drivemechanism as shown in FIGS. 8-9 which employs a reversible motor 13 todrive a belt 17 to mechanically translate a card 12 along a linearflowpath 11 into and out of a housing 14; the device 10 offers easyreview and authentication of presented identifications such as drivers'license card 12. The translation into and out of the housing 14 is timedto allow strobing of the individual LEDs 28 to illuminate the card 12 tocapture segmented images during each such illumination of each LED 28 ineach light frequency to thereby electronically assemble one or aplurality of different images of the card 12 in each respective spectrumof illumination employed.

In operation the card 12 or other two-sided document to be viewed and/orchecked for authenticity and/or current validity as to expiration date,is inserted into and exited from an inline linear flowpath 11 inside ahousing 14. The A drive mechanism 13, 17, 130 will translate the card 12into and out of the housing 14 for a duration sufficient to illuminatethe card 12 with the LEDs 28 and capture the necessary segments of cardimage to assemble an total image electronically of the card 12 undereach spectrum, or combine the segments in one or a plurality ofspectrums electronically, to yield an assembled image of the card 12showing the different hidden and visible indicia combined. The assembledimage of the card 12 thus can show the hidden indicia which only appearsunder certain light spectrums along with the visible indicia to allowfor easy verification of the validity and authenticity of the card 12when projected on a video monitor such as the depiction in FIG. 3showing both sides of the card 12 concurrently as they are seen by thedigital imager 16.

Inside the housing 14 the device 10 employs a unique combination ofmeans for illumination and means for optical reflection allowing the useof a single imager 16 which enables a two-sided image to be capturedconcurrently by the imager 16 from assembled segments of images from thestrobing LEDs 28 in their respective spectrum as shown in FIG. 3. Thesegments are sized as a function of the width of the mirrors employed.

During translation into and out of the device 10, both sides of anidentification card 12 such as a driver's license or employment ID orother double sided document are concurrently captured by the imager 16and thus the two images are registered with each other throughout theimaging process allowing for positions of indicia on each side to becompared with each other as another means to ascertain authenticity.Because of the short linear flowpath 11 allowed by the unique concurrentimaging of both sides, and the fact that the LEDs capturing segments ofthe assembled image can strobe both during the incoming and exitingmovement of the card 12, a license or other inserted card 12 or ID onlyneeds to move into the housing 14 a short distance, thereby allowing fora relatively small housing 14, shown in FIG. 5. Additionally providingfor the small footprint is the placement of the imager 16, lens 26, andhorizontal mirror 32 on one side of the circuit board 31 and the angledreflective mirrors 30 and linear flowpath 11 for the card 12 on theopposite side. This stacked arrangement of the components renders thedevice 10 much smaller than would be the case conventionally.

The electronic imager 16 such as a CCD chip, or other means to capturean illuminated image and convert it to a digital image, in addition tocapturing segmented images of the card 12 surface under different lightspectrums, has the ability to capture and digitize images of 2D or 1Dbar codes 20, which are frequently encoded on such ID cards or licensescard 12 and/or ID such as company and government issued security cards.The captured bar codes may be processed by software adapted to the taskto extract their data once captured. Optionally but preferred, thedevice 10 can also read an encoded magnetic strip 18 which frequentlycontains data about the holder and about the document on which it isplaced, using a retractable 119 magnetic strip reader 19 in the properposition as shown in FIGS. 8-9. Both the optically readable bar code 20and the magnetic strip 18 are used by many government and privateagencies to encode hidden data and are thus employable to verify theindicia 22 such as text and photo 24 on the card 12 or other IDcontaining them.

In operation, a two-sided image or concurrent individual images of bothsides of a document such as an ID card 12 or license, or passport, asshown in FIG. 3, is assembled from segments communicated to and capturedby the imager 16. As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6 and 10, segments formingduel assembled images of the card 12, during capture traveling along thelinear flowpath 11, are concurrently communicated to the imager 16 usingmeans to reflect both sides concurrently into the lens 26 which focusessegments from both sides of the card 12 to assemble both images in eachrespective spectrum. The arrangement of components in FIGS. 4, 6, and10, are a preferred means to communicate segmental images of both sidesurfaces of the card 12 upon the imager 16 during travel of the card 12into and out of the housing 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, oneespecially preferred mode providing means to communicate segmentedimages of the two sides of the card 12 upon the imager 16 is provided byangled reflective mirrors 30 which communicate images of segmentedportions of each side of the ID card 12 or license to a horizontalmirror 32 and through a lens 26, to the imager 16 in sequence. As theLEDs 28 strobe in their respective spectrum during passages along theflowpath, segmental images in each spectrum are communicated to theimager 16.

As depicted in FIG. 10 in another mode of the device 10, the angledreflective mirrors 30 may be positioned in other arrangements tocommunicate the segmental images to the imager 16. In FIG. 10, theangled reflective mirrors 30 are parallel to the linear translationallinear flowpath 11 of the card 12 and reflect segmental images to twolower angled mirrors 33 which replace the horizontal mirror 32, asearlier embodiments. The lower angled mirrors 33 project the imagesthough the lens 26 to the imager 16. Those skilled in the art willrealize once educated by this specification that other means toconcurrently communicate segmented portions of both sides of thetranslating card 12 to the imager 16 can be employed and such areanticipated. However, the current preferred mode employs the device 10as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 9 wherein the angled reflective mirrors 30are positioned at inclining angles toward the top of the card 12adjacent to the linear flowpath 11, and the horizontal mirror 32 ispositioned traverse to the linear flowpath 11 of the card 12 underneathit. As noted elsewhere, this arrangement or similar reduces thefootprint of the device 10 making employable in limited space areas.

If the reader 19 is employed, data from the magnetic strip 18 and/ordata extracted by software form the assembled images of the bar code 20may also be captured thereby making the data encoded therein immediatelyavailable for comparison with captured images of the card 12 in thevarious spectrums, thereby further providing a concurrent plurality ofinformation for further verification of the authenticity and validity ofthe ID card 12 itself.

In the scanning or imaging process, to capture segmented images of bothsides of the card 12 while traversing in and out of the linear flowpath11, the device 10 employs a unique imaging technology using LEDs 28 orother spectrum-specific lighting means inside the housing 14 to renderimages on the imager 16 to capture multiple digital images of both sidesof the card 12 in a plurality of light wavelengths. The LEDs 28 shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 8 mounted on a circuit board 29 are illuminated in asequence, individually or combined, to thereby illuminate both sides ofthe card 12 as it travels the linear flowpath 11 in and out of thedevice 10.

Each time an LED 28 illuminates for a duration, the card 12 soilluminated reflects an image of a segment of the card 12 passing eachof a pair of angled reflective mirrors 30. Optionally this segmentedillumination may be done by stopping the card 12 for moments during itstraverse of the linear flowpath 11 or by a fast sequential strobing ofthe card 12 while the card 12 moves in and out of the linear flowpath11.

Since images are captured during both directions of traverse ortranslation of the card 12 the duration to capture segmented images isdoubled over just capturing the images in one direction. Further,because the card 12 is imaged in both directions, should hidden indiciabe such that it fluoresces under a certain spectrum of light andcontinues to glow thereafter for a duration, the LED 28 emitting thisspectrum would be employed last, as the card 12 is exiting the housing14 so that the glowing ink does not damage other images in otherspectrums which might be taken after such illumination. The two-waysegmented imaging of the card 12 thus is most important in this aspect.

The angled reflective mirrors 30 are each positioned to reflect thesegment of the card 12 during any such illumination period of time thatthe card 12 traverses the linear flowpath 11 through other mirrors andthe lens 26 to the imager 16. This enables the device 10 concurrently,in real time, to capture images of both sides of the ID card 12 in aregistered position relative to each other, using a plurality ofspectrum-specific light sources. Currently a plurality of five differentlight sources from LEDs 28 adapted to emit light at specific points inthe spectrum, are employed; however, others are anticipated within thescope of this application. As noted, the LEDs may strobe quicklysingularly or in combination to capture certain images to uncover thehidden indicia on the card 12 while it moves, or the card 12 may bestopped momentarily, according to a preferred method along the linearflowpath 11 to allow for segments under each spectrum of each segment tobe captured by the imager 16.

This employment of sequential emissions of light onto the card 12 atdifferent spectrums enables the imager 16 of the device 10 not only toimage and store readily viewable informational indicia such as barcode20 and text 22, but, as noted, also allows the device 10 to image andcapture hidden authentication and validation indicia which onlyilluminates or fluoresces for capture by the imager 16 under certainlight spectrums. Inks which either fluoresce after illumination for aperiod, or reflect light and become viewable under certain lightspectrums, are being employed on a widening scale to provide means toauthenticate and validate ID's such as licenses. This is currently doneby hand by the TSA with drivers' licenses. This ability to capture oneor a plurality of such hidden features and store them for comparison orviewing by the user, is therefore a very important aspect provided bythe device 10 and method hereon.

As noted, the angled reflective mirrors 30 positioned adjacent to theflowpath 11 of the card 12 will reflect a segment of the card 12 to theimager 16 during each illumination of the card 12 by any one orcombination of the spectrum-specific LEDs 28. The entire images of bothsides of the card 12 as depicted in FIG. 3 are assembled electronicallyby a connected data processor and software adapted to the task from thesegments stored in memory. The illumination process of each segment ofthe card 12 as it moves in and along the linear flowpath 11, isaccomplished by illuminating the ID card 12 for individual timedurations in one or a plurality of light spectrums such as UV (365 nm)Blue (470 nm) Green (525 nm) Red (625 nm) IR (850 nm). Each segmentalimage in each single or combined light spectrum is reflected to theimager 12 by the aligned mirrors 30 and 32, and through lens 26 whichfocuses the segments onto the capturing portion of the imager 16. Imagescan be assembled in five or more wavelengths by strobing the LEDs 28 forshort time durations as the card 12 moves past the angled reflectivemirrors 30.

Since each ID can have any number of hidden authenticating features thatare imageable only under certain light-spectrums, the device 10 allowsfor multiple ways to capture and employ such authenticating indicia byimaging of the card 12 in at least five spectrums and more when theimages captured by the imager 16 and communicated to the data processorare combined electronically to yield assembled images. Because bothsides of the card 12 are imaged concurrently for each segmental image,the images of both sides of the card are in registered positionsrelative to one another. This allows for comparison of the specificpositions of indicia points on both sides of the card 12 which is alsoimportant since equipment used to forge such documents is frequentlyinexpensive and unable to accurately position such indicia points to thescale that very sophisticated and expensive printing equipment can. Bycomparing the points or positions of relative location of specificindicia on both sides of the card 12 the device 10 can provide anothermeans to spot forgeries.

Employing the plurality of LEDs 28 to project individual light spectrumsfor concurrent or sequential imaging of the card 12, the deviceilluminates each section imaged, at least in one spectrum and preferablyin all available, for short respective time segments. The reflectedsegmented images of both sides of the ID card 12 then follow the uniqueoptical path to communicate small segmented image portions to the imager16 for digitizing and communication to a data processor. This uniqueconcurrent reflective path allows for a single imager 16 to be employedto capture both sides of the card image. This is most important toallowing for significantly reduced calibration of the device 10 fromconventional scanners.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-2 and 4 and 6, the LEDs 28 illuminate bothsides of the ID card 12 to illuminate the image thereon which iscommunicated to a pair of angled reflective mirrors 30 relative to theflat side surfaces of the card 12. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, thetwo angled reflective mirrors 30 are at substantially a 45-degree anglerelative to the card 12 and receive the reflected light from the card 12and communicate the segment of the image captured by the width of theangled reflective mirrors 30 to a horizontally positioned mirror 32which is best positioned underneath the circuit board 31 in order toconserve space as best shown in FIGS. 8-9. The axis of the horizontalmirror 32 is substantially normal to the two parallel flat surfaces ofthe card 12 above or adjacent to the horizontal mirror 32.

The two reflected images of illuminated segments of both sides of the IDcard 12, reflected from the angled reflective mirrors 30 onto thehorizontal mirror 32, (or lower angled mirrors 33 if employed) are thenrefracted from the wider reflected image communication 21 shown in FIG.6, through a lens 26 which yields a narrower projection 23 of thesegmental images of both sides of the card 12, onto the linear narrowimaging area 15 of the electronic imager 16 for conversion to digitalimage format and storage in onboard memory.

Software adapted to the task, onboard or networked to the device 10, canbe employed to ascertain optical character recognition of the text 22,electronic information in the magnetic strip 18, and stored in the barcode 20, and electronically assemble individual images on each side ofthe card 12 in the different light wavelengths sequentially emitted bythe LEDs 28, to ascertain the presence of required validation orauthenticating indicia or markings on the card 12 and to compare it withthe electronic information stored in the bar code 20 and magnetic strip18. Those skilled in the art will realize that software may be adaptedto the task to look for any number of individual identifiers provided bythe visible and spectrum-illuminated images so assembled and the device10 itself may allow for a great increase in intricate authentication andvalidation schemes that may be employable using both visible andspectrum-specific indicia.

Employing the various assembled images of both normal-light visible andspectrum-specific visible indicia, those images may be compared andinspected using software or the human eye on occasions if the images aresimply projected onto a screen to ascertain the authenticity andvalidity of the driver's license or other ID card 12, and also toascertain if the holder is sought for any reason by authorities.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, the novel arrangement of the reflective pairof angled reflective mirrors 30 to a horizontal mirror 32 below thelinear flowpath 11 of the ID card 12, allows for a very small footprintfor the device 10. Using the plurality of light-emitting means and othermeans to read printed and electronic information on the ID card 12, inconcurrently assembled images of segments, allows for authentication ofthe ID card quickly and easily.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 12, and 13 depict another embodiment of the device10 incorporating front flowpath access 110 and rear flowpath access 111at each end of the flowpath 11. A user could insert or retrieve a card12 from either the front flowpath access 110 or rear flowpath access111. This embodiment further incorporates an access door 114, to accessthe interior of the device 10 that is usually protected and enclosed byhousing 14. Access door 114 can move from a closed state as in FIG. 11Cto an open state as depicted in FIG. 12 by pulling access trigger 115.In the figure, the access door rotates about a point near the rear ofhousing 14, but the access door could rotate in any direction, couldslide in any direction, or could even be entirely removed from housing14 without departing from the spirit of the invention. The access door114 can also hold additional functional elements that move along withthe access door 114. In one embodiment, the distance between the frontflowpath access 110 and the closest accessible point along the flowpath11 when the access door 114 is in an open state is called the sensorarray area 120 because it is where most of the active scanning occursand contains devices that could be sensitive to user touch such as LEDs28, lenses 26, and mirrors 30. Sensor array area 120 is not madeaccessible to the user when access door 114 opens, but the length offlowpath 11 through sensor array area 120 is less than the width of card12 to be scanned by device 10. By limiting the dimensions in this way, auser can always touch and retrieve the card 12, even if device 10 losespower or stops functioning for any reason. In this embodiment, sensitiveelements can be protected by either locating those sensitive elements inregions of the device 10 that do not become accessible when access door114 is opened or can retract further into the device when not activelyused or when access door 114 opens. For example, an electromechanicalsolenoid 119 extends and retracts magnetic strip reader 19. Thisembodiment also incorporates a button 112 (FIG. 13) to initiate animmediate card extraction routine illustrated in FIG. 16 and a series oflights (optionally LEDs) 113 to inform the user of device status. Thisembodiment further optionally incorporates ports for both power 116 anddata transfer 117.

Turning to FIG. 13, housing 14 has been removed to reveal the interiorof device 10. Motor 13 drives a belt (shown as 17 in FIG. 8) that inturn drives a number of wheels 130, which hold and advance card 12 ineither direction along flowpath 11. The wheels 130 are spaced along theflowpath 11 in a way that a card in the flowpath 11 will always be incontact with at least one wheel. In addition to advancing card 12forward or backward, wheels 130 apply lateral pressure on card 12,allowing magnetic strip reader 19 to surface-read magnetic strip 18.Vertical pressure bar 118 applies downward pressure to help align card12 from above flowpath 11 without interfering with the scanningmechanisms (retractable magnetic strip reader 19 and electronic imager16). Vertical pressure bar 118 also forces card 12 to sit level inflowpath 11, so between the guidance of the flowpath 11, the downwardpressure from vertical pressure bar 118, and the wheels 130, the card ismaintained at an optimal position and angle for scanning.

The fine card position and motor 13 control described above allow formultiple precision document movements and an optimized scanning process,as described in FIGS. 14 and 15. In one preferred process, the systemcan align the document (which could be card 12 from previous examples,though the process is not limited to cards or IDs) while translating1410 the document along flowpath 11 from outside housing 14 throughfront flowpath access 110 toward rear flowpath access 111 (hereinrefering to this direction as forward and the opposite direction asbackward) at a first speed optimized for a first magnetic strip scan1510. Motor 13 can then reverse the document's motion and translate thedocument backward 1420 at a second speed optimized for a second magneticstrip scan 1520. By utilizing multiple magnetic strip scans, the devicecan recognize if either scan was incomplete and could even merge validportions from each magnetic scan to assemble a complete virtual thirdscan. After performing both magnetic scan steps in first pass 1510 andsecond pass 1520, device 10 could retract magnetic strip reader 19 froma first position where magnetic strip reader 19 is active as a contactscanner to a second position where magnetic strip reader 19 will notinterfere with document movement during subsequent phases. Between firstpass 1510 and third pass 1530, the document can be maintained entirelywithin the flowpath 11 without any portion of the document passingthrough front flowpath access 110 to the exterior of housing 14 to avoiduser interference. Alternatively, the document can partially exit frontflowpath access 110 to the exterior of housing 14 to diminish devicedimensions.

Additionally, preliminary scans of the document 12 can be performedduring the high speed first or second passes. Because of the high speed,traditional imaging is not possible without increasing componentexpense, but other valuable measurements can be performed. Byilluminating LEDs 28 on only one side of the document, the documentscanner 10 can analyze the image captured to quickly determine theheight of the document, the width of the document, and the amount oflight that bleeds through the document which may assist with later imagecorrection. Document 12 height can be determined through simplecalculation from observing what portion of the vertical light isobscured. Document width can be determined because the speed of thedocument is known and controlled. The document scanner can measure thetime the document first obscures light to the time light is no longerobscured and calculate that from the known velocity. Document widthcould also be determined by counting the number of times a wheel spinsfrom one end of the document to the opposite end. During thispreliminary scan, the document can also be weighed and the width of thedocument can be determined. Document thickness can be determined byclosing a simple caliper on the document at any time during the scan.Other simple known measurements can be performed as part of thepreliminary scan.

Device 10 could then mechanically translate document forward at a thirdspeed for a third pass 1430. During third pass 1430, the document couldbe illuminated with a first light condition and photographed as in step1530. Finally device 10 can mechanically translate document backward ata fourth speed for a fourth pass 1440. During fourth pass 1440, thedocument can be illuminated with a second light condition andphotographed again before being translated outside of the casing throughfront flowpath 11 access 110 as in step 1540. The first and second lightconditions could be a specific frequency of light, an alternation ofmultiple specific frequencies, or any other combination of simultaneouslight frequencies. The device is not limited to only 4 passes, and thedifferent speeds could actually be the same speed. The lowest operablemagnetic strip reader speed only slightly overlaps the highest allowablespeed for electronic imaging without investing in more expensivehigh-speed CCDs and image processors, so it is likely that the device 10will utilize higher speeds during magnetic strip reading passes thanduring photographing passes.

Turning to FIG. 16, device 10 incorporates an exit-now or emergencydocument extraction command function. Upon receipt 1610 of an emergencyexit command (either from a user pressing button 112 or from someinternal sensor), device 10 can attempt to mechanically translate 1620the document toward the front flowpath access (backward). If that fails,device 10 can attempt to mechanically translate 1630 the document towardthe rear flowpath access (forward). Either of these mechanicaltranslation attempts can incorporate an intermittent or jittered motionto attempt to loosen any jam. Additionally or alternatively, thesetranslations could be attempted at a lower speed to utilize a greatertorque or a higher speed to attempt to skip over any impediment. Ifneither forward nor backward translation has successfully ejected thedocument 12, device 10 can prepare 1640 for manual document extractionby the user. Manual document extraction preparation 1640 could includeretracting magnetic strip reader 19, wheels 130, lifting verticalpressure bar 118, and cutting electricity to some or all internaldevices to eliminate the risk of user shock during extracting thedocument. Instrument retraction could occur either before or afterbackward translation 1620 and forward translation 1630. Once device 10has completed manual document extraction preparation 1640, the devicecould optionally illuminate 1650 a notification light or play anotification sound to alert a user that the document will require manualdocument extraction and that device 10 is now safe for manualextraction. At this point, document retrieval will require the accessdoor 114 to open 1660. The access door can be opened manually byutilizing trigger 115 or automatically via some internal command todisengage the latch that secures access door 114. When access door 114opens, the user will have access to flowpath 11, excluding that portionof flowpath 11 enclosed within sensor array area 120 (in thisembodiment). Because the portion of flowpath 11 enclosed by sensor arrayarea 120 is shorter than the width of the document to be scanned (card12 in one embodiment), a user can always touch and retrieve the documentmanually from either the front flowpath access 110 or from the portionof flowpath 11 exposed when access door 114 is opened. In otherembodiments, the entirety of flowpath 11 including that portion enclosedby sensor array area 120 is accessible when access door 114 is opened.After retrieving a document, the user can close access door 114, atwhich point device 10 can return to its active state, which may includepowering up the device, running a brief system check, and extendingpreviously retracted elements such as the magnetic strip reader 19, thewheels 130, the LEDs 28, and the vertical pressure bar 118.

While many of the fundamental characteristics and features of the IDscanner and its processes have been described herein, with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, variouschanges and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, andit should be apparent that in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of other featureswithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. Itshould be understood that such substitutions, modifications, andvariations may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all suchmodifications and variations are included within the scope of theinvention as defined herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A document scanner for extracting identifyinginformation comprising: a defined path in which a document can bemechanically translated, said defined path having a first opening in anexternal housing and a second opening in said external housing oppositesaid first opening; a sensor array area enclosing a portion of saiddefined path; a motor or actuator capable of mechanically translating adocument both in a first direction along said defined path and in asecond direction opposite to said first direction along said definedpath; an access door in said external housing that opens to allow accessto a document inside of said external housing; and a processor incommunication with a memory, said processor capable of executing anautomated document extraction process, said automated documentextraction process comprising: receiving an emergency exit command;instructing said motor or actuator to mechanically translate saiddocument along said defined path toward said first opening; instructingsaid motor or actuator to mechanically translate said document in areverse direction along said defined path toward said second opening;and preparing said document scanner for manual document extraction by auser.
 2. The document scanner of claim 1, further comprising: a digitalcamera comprising a lens and a sensor array for acquiring at least oneimage of a side surface of said document; and a magnetic strip reader.3. The document scanner of claim 1 comprising the document extractionprocess, said preparing said document scanner for manual documentextraction including illuminating a notification light that manualdocument extraction is required.
 4. The document scanner of claim 1,wherein said sensor array includes at least one retractable element andsaid preparing said document scanner for manual document extractionincludes retracting said at least one retractable element.
 5. Thedocument scanner of claim 1, said access door including a manual releaseaccess trigger.
 6. The document scanner of claim 1, said preparing saiddocument scanner for manual extraction by a user including reducingpower supplied to internal components.
 7. The document scanner of claim1, said preparation for manual document extraction includingautomatically opening said access door.
 8. The document scanner of claim1, wherein said portion of said defined path enclosed by said sensorarray area is no longer than the length of the document to be scanned.9. The document scanner of claim 1 comprising said automated documentextraction process, wherein the instructing said motor or actuator tomechanically translate said document along said defined path toward saidfirst opening comprises mechanically translating at an intermittentrate.
 10. The document scanner of claim 1 comprising said automateddocument extraction process wherein the instructing said motor oractuator to mechanically translate said document along said defined pathtoward said first opening comprises mechanically translating at areduced speed.
 11. The document scanner of claim 1, further comprising abutton that sends said emergency exit command.
 12. The document scannerof claim 1, further comprising a sensor capable of automatically sendingsaid emergency exit command if the document is jammed.
 13. The documentscanner of claim 1 further comprising: a pair of mirrors, one each ofsaid pair at an angled position adjacent to each of a respective one ofsaid two opposing side surfaces of said document in said defined path;and a secondary mirror portioned transverse to said document and saiddefined path, said secondary mirror having an angle adapted to intersectreflections from both of said pair of mirrors and communicate them tosaid lens of said digital camera.
 14. An automated method for extractinga document from a document scanner comprising: receiving an emergencyexit command; attempting to mechanically translate a document in a firstdirection along a defined path inside of an external housing toward afirst access point; attempting to mechanically translate a document in asecond direction opposite said first direction along said defined pathinside of an external housing toward a second access point; preparingsaid document scanner for manual document extraction by a user; andilluminating a light that informs the user said document scanner was notcapable of manually extracting said document.
 15. The method of claim 14further comprising receiving a notification that a document somewherealong said defined path requires extraction from said document scanner.16. The method of claim 14, said attempting to mechanically translate adocument including attempting to mechanically translate a document at anintermittent rate.
 17. The method of claim 14, said attempting tomechanically translate a document including attempting to mechanicallytranslate a document at a reduced speed.
 18. The method of claim 14further comprising retracting a retractable element configured to thedocument.
 19. A document scanner for extracting identifying informationcomprising: a defined path in which a document can be mechanicallytranslated, said defined path having a first opening in an externalhousing and a second opening in said external housing opposite saidfirst opening; a sensor array area enclosing a portion of said definedpath, said portion of said defined path enclosed by said sensor arrayarea is no longer than the horizontal length of the document to bescanned; a motor or actuator capable of mechanically translating adocument both in a first direction along said defined path and in asecond direction opposite to said first direction along said definedpath; an access door in said external housing that opens to allow accessto a document inside of said external housing, said access doorincluding a manual release access trigger; a digital camera comprising alens and a sensor array for acquiring at least one image of a sidesurface of said document; a magnetic strip reader; and a processor incommunication with a memory, said processor capable of executing anautomated document extraction process, said automated documentextraction process comprising: receiving an emergency exit command;instructing said motor or actuator to mechanically translate saiddocument along said defined path toward said first opening; instructingsaid motor or actuator to mechanically translate said document in areverse direction along said defined path toward said second opening;and preparing said document scanner for manual document extraction by auser.
 20. The document scanner of claim 19 further comprising: a pair ofmirrors, one each of said pair at an angled position adjacent to each ofa respective one of said two opposing side surfaces of said document insaid defined path; and a secondary mirror portioned transverse to saiddocument and said defined path, said secondary mirror having an angleadapted to intersect reflections from both of said pair of mirrors andcommunicate them to said lens of said digital camera.